Panda Express reinforces its commitment to uplifting communities with a $10-M pledge to diversity, equity & inclusion
Panda Express®, the largest family-owned and operated Asian dining concept in the U.S., was built on a foundation of bridging cultures—and flavors— to bring people together. Having always had deep relationships in the diverse communities it serves, Panda is proud to launch the Panda CommUnity Fund — a $10 million community investment and response program…
Kiefer Ravena becomes first Filipino athlete signed with Jordan Brand
NLEX Road Warriors guard Kiefer Ravena has joined the iconic Jordan Brand. Ravena made the announcement on Tuesday, May 4, becoming the first Filipino athlete to become a member of the Jordan Brand family. “It’s an honor for me to be part of this basketball family. I’m both thankful and excited to be the first…
NYC sets July 1 reopening
After more than a year of shutdown, New York City is set to fully reopen starting July 1, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced last week. The city was shut down in March 2020 and later became the country’s epicenter for COVID-19 infections and deaths. “This is going to be the summer of New York City,”…
Advancing Justice-LA launches Bystander Intervention Initiative to combat anti-Asian harassment
Initiative includes PSA narrated by actor Ken Jeong, free training workshops LOS ANGELES – In response to the alarming surge in hate incidents targeting the Asian American community, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Los Angeles, a leading legal and civil rights organization, is launching its first-ever bystander intervention initiative. The effort includes the debut of a PSA…
Fil-Am siblings killed by driver fleeing police in San Jose
TWO Filipino American siblings were killed after a fleeing vehicle crashed into their car in San Jose, California last week. The Santa Clara County Coroner’s Office identified the victims as Precious Nievas, 25, and her brother Philip Nievas, 22, both of San Jose, according to a report from KTVU News. The siblings were on their…
PH grants EUA to Moderna’s COVID-19 jabs
THE Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the emergency use authorization (EUA) for Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine. “Today, after rigorous and thorough review by regulatory and medical experts using the currently available published and unpublished data, FDA is granting an emergency use authorization to Zuellig Pharma Corp. for the…COVID-19 vaccine Moderna,” FDA Director General…
SOMA Pilipinas celebrates 5 years of advocacy work at Kapwa Gardens in SF
SAN FRANCISCO – Trendsetting cultural district SOMA Pilipinas marked its fifth year of advocating for Filipino residents, businesses, heritage and culture/arts in the South of Market (SoMa) area as it hosted an event limited to 100 guests at the newly-opened Kapwa Gardens on Thursday, April 29. Led by executive director Raquel Redondiez, SOMA Pilipinas was the…
CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program provides free financial assistance to income eligible households for unpaid rent and utilities
Rent relief is now available for California landlords and their renters who are struggling to pay rent or utilities due to COVID-19. Income eligible renters can apply for help to pay rent and utilities, both for past due and future payments, provided they meet certain eligibility requirements. Renters and landlords can verify eligibility immediately by…
This Mother’s Day, Citizen Pinoy celebrates mothers who were champions in their family’s immigration journey
Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel also presents the latest in immigration news and analysis, and provides the latest highlights from his YouTube channel, US Immigration TV. Millet (bottom left) brought her two daughters, Ana and Yna, to the U.S., and they became undocumented. While they were growing up, Millet had to tell her…
[COLUMN] DOS provides update on immigrant visa prioritization
IT can be extremely frustrating for anyone outside the U.S. waiting for their immigrant visa interview, and for their family members in the U.S., anxiously awaiting their arrival. You have endured delays, interview cancellations, and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 lockdowns and shutdowns, and by former Pres. Trump’s immigration ban. The main question on everyone’s…
[COLUMN] Respected entertainment editor Ricky Lo passes away
IT is with tremendous sadness that veteran entertainment editor Ricky Lo passed away on Tuesday, May 4 due to a stroke, as reported in the Philippine Star. He had just turned 75 last April 21. Lo, who was my colleague in the Philippine Daily Express and who became a good friend, has been a stalwart…
[COLUMN] Pandemic and suicide
THE COVID-19 pandemic has understandably increased the incidence of depression around the world, greater among the poor. Depression is a most significant risk factor in suicide. Complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic in today’s busy, impatient, materialistic, political, and fast-paced society, people are subjected to aggravated stressors in life every day. Encumbered by their personal circumstance,…
Fil-Am rock climbing athletes Pamela Price & Justin Nucum to compete on TBS’ ‘WIPEOUT’
COMPETITIVE Filipino American athletes, Pamela Price and Justin Nucum, are set to compete on the hit TV show, “WIPEOUT,” airing on TBS Network. Their specific episode will air on Thursday, May 6 at 9 p.m. EST/PST. The show is hosted by John Cena, Nicole Byer & Camille Kostek. Scouted for their free climbing bouldering and…
[COLUMN] Caregiver law overview for 2021
Working as a caregiver in a private home, an assisted living facility or nursing home is hard work. If this is your job, you probably work long hours and return home physically and emotionally drained. You may provide 24-hour, live-in help to the elderly or incapacitated. Many residential private households, residential care facilities and nursing…
Filipino teen punched, subjected to racist slurs during Bay Area basketball tournament
A FILIPINO American teenager sustained a concussion after he was reportedly punched and called racial slurs during a basketball tournament in Oakland, California. The victim, identified only by his first name, Evan, was playing at the Battle of the Bay basketball tournament organized by Grassroots 365 at Oakland’s Soldiertown gym on Saturday, May 2, when…
Pew Research: Over 4.2M Filipino Americans in the US
FILIPINOS make up 18% of the Asian population in the United States, according to a new report by the Washington-based polling firm Pew Research Center. “A record 23 million Asian Americans trace their roots to more than 20 countries in East and Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent,” it said Thursday, April 29. “The 19…
Report: Anti-Asian hate crimes rose 164% in first quarter of 2021
Significant increases occurred in the country’s largest cities and counties As 2021 approaches the halfway mark, more statistics on anti-Asian hate crimes and hate incidents are being released, highlighting the scope and toll of these alarming attacks. A new study by the Center for the Study of Hate in Extremism at Cal State San Bernardino…
‘Defend Our Elders’ event in Carson seeks to teach self-defense tips for vulnerable community members
IN the wake of violence against Asian Americans, local Filipino American groups in Carson, California are coming together to host a workshop teaching vulnerable community members how to protect themselves from physical harm. Billed as “Defend Our Elders: Self-Defense Training,” the 90-minute event at Carson Park on Saturday, May 8 will feature a demonstration from…
Filipina senior attacked while shopping in Oakland
AMID the continued surge of anti-Asian hate and violence in the United States, an elderly Filipina American is the latest victim after being attacked and robbed in the Bay Area last week. Antonette Solis, 68, was shopping in Oakland’s Chinatown along 8th Street on Friday, April 30, when an unnamed man allegedly snatched her purse…
Honoring Filipino nurses who continue to be on the frontlines of COVID-19
TO honor the over 4 million registered nurses and their tireless fight against COVID-19 in the United States, the American Nurses Association (ANA) extended for the entire month of May the celebration of National Nurses Week, which takes place from May 6 to 12. “Since the pandemic, honoring our nation’s nurses is more profoundly significant,…
How Filipina moms are marking Mother’s Day 2021
FOR over a year now, the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging the way everyone celebrates events and holidays. The situation is turning a corner with the vaccination campaigns kicked off by various countries, including the United States. This Sunday, May 9, Mother’s Day 2021 will be a different celebration for many compared to last year’s sheltering…
Registered nurses honor National Nurses Week with lobby days for federal legislation to protect patients and nurses
HUNDREDS of registered nurses from across the country will meet virtually with federal lawmakers on National Nurses Week to urge them to step up measures to improve protections for hospital patients and nurses and other health care workers across the country. The RNs, members of the National Nurses United (NNU), which represents more than 170,000…
No appointments needed at LA County COVID-19 vaccine sites
RESIDENTS in the city and county of Los Angeles do not need an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Several sites in the region are allowing residents 16 years and older, regardless of immigration status, to get vaccinated without registering beforehand. “Our ability to maintain low numbers of cases, and correspondingly low numbers of hospitalizations…
Foreign tourists still barred from entering PH
Country lifts some entry restrictions FOREIGN tourists are still prohibited from entering the Philippines, despite the country easing restrictions on certain foreign nationals. “Said restriction remains effective until it is lifted by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases,” Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said Sunday, May 2. This clarification comes after Malacañang on Friday,…
Journey at Pechanga hosts the 14th CM Pro-Am
JOURNEY at Pechanga hosted Character Media’s 14th Annual Pro-am Golf Tournament last April 5 and 6, 2021. This marks the 8th year the championship course set amid the Temecula rolling hills hosted the tournament as the official sponsor. The event skipped the 2020 event due to COVID-19. This year, the tournament teed off with more…
[OPINION] Biden’s American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan invest in the most important resource of the United States — the ordinary hardworking people like you and me
THE coronavirus pandemic that has disrupted the lives and economy of the world has so glaringly highlighted how America — supposedly the most powerful and richest nation in the world, the bastion and guardian of democracy — has failed to live up to its reputation and the promise and principles enshrined in our Constitution and…
Get out of debt, improve your life
YOU may not like what I have to say in this article. But oftentimes, the truth hurts. But if you find yourself broke every payday because of too much debt, you may find the information here helpful to change your life for the better. Did you know that more than 90% of the population lives…
[OPINION] A call to action and for abolition during Heritage Month
By Gregory A. Cendana WE have arrived at another May, which many in Asian American and Pacific Islander communities know as our Heritage Month. It is yet another moment, for Filipino Americans also, that we cannot operate business as usual. We’ve been navigating a global health crisis where Filipinos are on the frontlines and make…